Tata Communications expands VPN services to Egypt as emerging market growth strategy

Tata Communications has expanded its Global VPN service to Egypt in tie up with Egypt's largest IP-based data communications carrier TE Data SAE, a subsidiary of Telecom Egypt SAE and.

Tata Communications and TE Data have interconnected their respective MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) infrastructures, setting up multiple, redundant network-to-network interconnection (NNI) points between the two companies connecting Tata Communications' European and Indian network hubs with TE Data's facilities in Egypt in order to serve enterprise customers' growing worldwide connectivity needs.

"Partnerships with leading telecom players in emerging markets are critical to provide the deep global reach that our customers' networks require," said Genius Wong, Senior Vice President, Global IP and VPN services. "Our agreement with TE Data is part of our larger MPLS expansion plan that will include other NNI agreements, as well as the expansion of Tata Communications international on-net, in key strategic regions and emerging markets that are of high value to our customers."

Egypt's GDP (gross domestic product) growth over the last five year has averaged about 6 per cent mainly on expanding domestic demand. Egypt acts as a major gateway for trade with the Middle East and North Africa due to the free trade agreement between 20 African countries - COMESA.

According to a Merrill Lynch Egypt country report in February 2008, following a 25-per cent year-on-year real increase in 2007, investments in Egypt have been surging by about 30 per cent year-on-year thus far in 2008.. data from Confederation of Indian Industry reveals investments from India alone are expected to cross $1.5 billion by 2009.

The NNI agreement allows Tata Communications to seamlessly extend its current end-to-end service capabilities by incorporating the TE Data's IP MPLS network footprint in Egypt, using more than 800 access points-of-presence. This will enable the company's VPN customers to benefit from superior connectivity to and from Egypt while experiencing the same security, redundancy and quality of service offered on the Tata Communications network.

"We are pleased to partner with Tata Communications to provide our customers with high-quality IP VPN solutions," said Emad Alazhary, TE Data vice chairman and managing director. "The seamless integration of Tata Communications' high performance MPLS network with TE Data's extensive network coverage in Egypt will provide superior connectivity to India and to the world."

This agreement is the latest in Tata Communications' plans to continue to develop and expand its global coverage. Tata Communications already offers its MPLS services in almost 40 countries and expects to reach over 50 by the end of 2008. It is also increasing the resiliency and depth of its international network with new dual PoPs in four countries and new PoPs in 8 cities within its existing country footprint. Tata Communications also offers extended reach to over 150 countries through its VNO Services division.

"Tata Communications' partnership agreement with TE Data will link customers in Egypt with the rest of the world via our rapidly growing network," said Radwan Moussalli, managing director, MENA, Tata Communications. "Africa and the Middle East are markets that are undergoing significant growth, and we plan on continuing to expand the relationship as part of a growing cooperation between Tata Communications and TE Data."